ARTWORK for web and print

Welcome to our artwork page. You may have arrived at this page by
using the link on a leaflet that we have printed or via a web link.

THE TERM ARTWORK or GRAPHICS covers a multitude of sins, especially
nowadays, it can be something simple as a few lines of text or something
involved like creating many elements to be incorporate into a brochure or
something totally different like a flash movie see glitterballevents
or glaciana.

PRINT AND WEB have different design considerations since both work in
entirely different ways. Colours for the vdu (monitor) screen are red green and
blue (RGB) and work positively to produce white, while print uses cyan, yellow
and magenta (CYM) which work negatively to produce black. Theoretically black
colour is not needed however due to limitation of pigments and the printing
process black is used to give a perfect black and sharpen the image (CYMK).

VECTOR OR BITMAP ARTWORK Just to confuse matters more which type of
graphic to use?
Each type has its own advantages and conversely disadvantages. To add to the
confusion even more each type has many file formats again all with their own
advantages and disadvantages.

HAVING MANY YEAR EXPERIENCE I knowing the limitations of each system I
will choose the best file format to achieve the desired effect. It is not a good
idea to convert web images to be used in print since the print resolution is far
higher than required for the web. In general we design vector images for print
as these are infinitely scalable without loss of resolution. We may not be
designing initially for print but as you can always downgrade but never upgrade
the resolution. We always plan for the future this way we will always have a
high resolution image for use in the future. Unfortunately vector images
cannot be used directly on the web but we have the software to converted to an
image in the size required and optimised to give the shortest download time.
Flash movie files use vector images, by changing the XY positioning and XY
coordinates makes it look like the image is moving. Since only one image is
constantly "recycled" makes a very small file ideal for web usage. A normal
movie file would require 50 separate images per second will will make a very big
file with the associated long download time. There are methods of reducing the
file size but these also degrade the movie. However, you do not need to worry
about these technicalities, just leave it to the experts. I've been heavily
involved in artwork preparation since 1973 and I am up to date in the very
latest techniques which are changing constantly as new improved methods are
invented.

STOCK ARTWORK AND PHOTOGRAPHS I have a vast library which are royalty
free, saving both time and money instead of having special artwork commissioned.
Several images can be combined and manipulated to produce original artwork. Your
own photos, artwork and ideas can of course be utilised.

If I am producing the artwork for the work which we are going to print the
cost is subsidised and we retain copyright to this work. Any material that you
supplied you obviously retain that copyright.

THE COST? A good and difficult question, like how long is a piece
string? You can easily minimize these costs by good planning and
preparation of what you require. To illustrate this, consider these scenarios;

You need a logo designed you have no idea of what you would like but you
would like something special - so we get six different people to design this
logo. From this you get six independent and different ideas we can use parts of
one idea and merge with another idea. This is the most creative way but the most
expensive since there are six wages to be paid. The pros are you have much more
thought put into your logo but the cons are the great expense. Obviously you're
only going to use one final design even if it may incorporate ideas are from the
others, there is going to be a lot of redundancy and we can't wind the clock
back.

Consider the other extreme, you know exactly what you want but don't have the
necessary skills to produce high quality artwork, but you have a sketch of the
logo you require and we can work from that. This will save you a considerable
amount of time and money.

The other great cost increaser is changing your mind, which means that the
work already done is scraped but still needs paying for and starting again cost
time and money, which is why good planning is essential.

FOR AN ESTIMATE or a chat, please email bob@1stops.co.uk or telephone 01708 507857 to
discuses your requirements.

NUMBER OF COLOURS? On the web is not a problem. However this is not so
in the case of print. As each colour is printed separately. Each colour requires
a separate printing plate and the plate costs and more the plates longer it
takes to setup the printing press. Special spot colours are also going to
increase the cost since the machine will need cleaning down and that colour has
to be either specially bought in or mixed, then the machine cleaned down again.
All this going to take time and leading to ink wastage all of which needs paying
for. A cheaper alternative to is to use process colours. For example reflex blue
is a very popular colour, however printing it by process colour (CYMK) it needs
three print colours printed, 100% cyan, 73% Magenta, 2% black to simulate reflex
blue and is more prone to errors as any variation and or stretch of the paper
between these print impressions will obviously downgrade the end result.
Obviously far more accurate to use the actual ink colour required on one print
impression.

TRADITIONAL OR DIGITAL PRINT? Each method has it's pros and cons. The
main deciding factor is quantity vs. cost.

Many times artwork has been bought for print which could have been printed
much cheaper had it been designed differently. It is very important to know
which method is going to be used at the artwork stage. Adjusting your artwork
will add to the cost. Being both printer and designer I know the advantages and
disadvantages of the various methods and will produce the artwork accordingly.
Also remember that the colour on your screen (RGB) may not match the printed
version (CYMK). Pantone produce a colour swatch of printed colours which are
referred to when specifying colours for print.

BUDGET FIRST This is very necessary on print since it's pointless producing
a design that you cannot afford to have printed, which is why it is best to
consider your budget, the market that you're aiming at and the quantity that
you're likely to use at the concept stage. The artwork can be produce with two
versions one for the web where colour is not a problem and a version for print.
Many times the work has been designed by some design houses that don't take the
printing in to consideration. In this matter we are always willing to advise you
the best method and the costs involved.